Drummer Joey Jordison has revealed that he parted ways with Slipknot because of his crippling battle with MS.

Jordison sensationally left the band in 2013 but put his departure down to "personal reasons"/

His departure came as a shock to fans as Jordison had been a prolific member of the metal outfit since 1995, working on four albums.

However, the drummer revealed the real reason for quitting the band, as he attended the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards on Sunday.

Joey Jordison of Slipknot is noted for playing two bass drums simultaneously

He had been diagnosed with with transverse myelitis, a form of MS.

"I got really really sick with a horrible disease called transverse myelitis, I lost my legs," he told the audience. "I couldn’t play any more. It was a form of multiple sclerosis, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy."

He continued: "I got myself back up, and I got myself in the gym and I got myself back in f**king therapy, to f**king beat this shit. And, if I could do it, you could do it. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, more than f**king anything.

"To people with multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, anything like that, I am living proof that you can fucking beat that sh*t."

Transverse myelitis causes weakness and numbness, and in some cases, a paralysis of the arms and legs, along with a loss of bladder and bowel control.

The drummer, who has played with Korn, Rob Zombie and Ministry, ended his speech with a powerful message to fans.

“And f**king metal and all of these fans will do it for you. This is the f**king world right here. You can beat this sh*t; no joke. Just the fact that metal lives in your heart, you can f**king accomplish anything.”